While Xpress can’t replace the volume of the coverage a fully resourced Citizen Times and other daily newspapers provided this community for over a century, we will continue to highlight the topics that have been our mainstays for many years: local government and economy; the region’s environment; arts and entertainment; food; history; health and wellness; opinion; and community happenings.

Local media operations mostly held their own in 2018. While the Citizen Times staff are now tenants in their historic building in downtown Asheville, the paper bagged first place for general excellence in a statewide competition (from which Xpress also brought home a plentiful array of awards). Learn what media expert Jon Elliston found notable on the local media scene in 2018.

“Regardless of what you think about our presidential lapdog representing District 11, and whatever it is you think about our conservative court system, it seems to me that a local publication should not yield its opinion section to prepared advocacy statements from organizations outside of the state.”

A Facebook Live forum hosted by Blue Ridge Public Radio and the Mountain Xpress on Wednesday, Oct. 17, offered District 2 candidates Glenda Weinert and Amanda Edwards an opportunity to address issues like affordable housing, opioid abuse, and the omnipresent criminal investigation into former county officials.

In a celebration of all things voted Best of WNC in 2018, Mountain Xpress and Highland Brewing Co. (winner in several beer and brewery categories) partnered to throw a party for the second year in a row. With nearly double the attendance from the previous year, the fun was flowing in Asheville.

“Lots of insight into helping us transplanted urbanites comprehend the ongoing support for our current president, whom many of us consider an amoral charlatan, even when they are voting against their own interests.”

“Please for the love of everything holy and sacred, if you begin a crossword in the Mountain Xpress, take it with you, recycle it, tear the page off, make origami. But please never return it neatly folded to the rack.”

Working with freelance contributors helps Mountain Xpress reflect a variety of voices and points of view in our coverage of local news and events. We’re looking for experienced writers to join us in our quest to provide timely information to encourage residents to get involved in their local community. Interested? See post for information on how to apply.

Mountain Xpress collected 12 awards, including third place for general excellence among community newspapers with a circulation of over 10,000 in North Carolina, from the N.C. Press Association conference in Raleigh on Feb. 22.